A DESIGNSTUDY FOR SPRINGFIELD ARMORY, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS. by Frederick T. Kubitz October 28, 1955 I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Dean Belluschi, and the members of the Graduate Thesis Committee for their most helpful assistance and advice. I also wish to convey my deep appreciation to those persons affiliated with the Springfield Armory for their generous co-operation. This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to: Professor Lawrence B. Anderson, Head of trhle Department of Architecture, MassachueN ts Institt4 of/Technology, by: Frederick T. Kubitz October 28, 1955 TABLE CF CONTENTS Pae Letter of Submittal 1 Abstract 2 Mission of Springfield Armory 3 History and Development of the Armory 4 Fundamental Information 8 A Discussion of the Hill Shop Facilities 11 Generalized Requirements for Design 13 Site and Area Requirements 18 The Site 18 Area Requirements 20 The Design 21 A. The Major Triad 22 B. Open Spaces and Plazas 24 C. Security 27 D. The Buildings 29 1. Administration Building 29 N 2. Parking 29 N 3. Manufacturing Buildings 30 4. Armory Operation Building 31 and Research and Development 5. Museum 32 6. Public Park 32 7. Housing 32 - 1 - 51 Westgate Cambridge, Massachusetts October 28, 1955 Dean Pietro Belluschi, Department of Architecture and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dear Sirt As partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Architecture, I respectfully submit my thesis entitled: ",A Designstudy for Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massa- chusetts". Si e youtsaky Fredb'F'T'-.~ Kibitz _==!r _*0@00,40 - 2 - ABSTRACT A Designstudy for Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts. This thesis is based on a hypothetical study of the redevelop- ment of the Hill Shop Branch of Springfield Armory. Using the same basic requirements, spatial and functional, as those of the existing facilities, the author has attempted to give them new meaning. By revaluating the present situation, and determining the problem to be treated, the author is then able to adapt them to a new and more valid architectural approach. Briefly the design requirements are as follows: 1. To re-establish basic land usage so all elements located thereon can better serve their purpose, their adjacent function, as well as, the total organization both functionally and esthetically. 2. To create a more friendly architectural attitude between Armory and community, by opening it up both physically and visually. 3. To retain those buildings symbolizing its first beginning, and blend them with the new in such a way that the old are given a place of dignity. 4. To develop a more subtle approach to the problem of security than the one presently used. MODEL OF PRESENT HILL SHOP BRANCH - 3 - MISSION OF SPRINGFIELD ARMORY The mission of Springfield Armory is to design, develop, procure and manufacture small arms weapons, components, accessories, and related equipment. In addition, Springfield Armory is charged with the storage and maintenance of standby tools and equipment. To accomplish its production mission, the Armory must work closely with industry exercising every effort to devise ways and means whereby the items assigned to it for design, devel- opment, procurement and manufacture may be instantly trans- ferred to industry for mass production. Springfield Armory is not a mass production center; it is a job shop with pilot manufacturing lines. Designs, descrip- tions of manufacture, drawings, specifications, and allied documents must be such that they can be utilized bj com- mercial manufacturers who in time of war will mass produce. They must not be prepared from the limited point of view of the Armory and its facilities. They must be based on the utilization of America's industrial plants and must incorpor- ate the best of industry's ideas and techniques. Springfield Armory Bulletin, 1951. - 4 - HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARMORY Springfield Armory is one of the oldest of our national in-. stitutions. The history of Springfield Armory dates back to the founding of Springfield, Massachusetts, from which it takes its name, by settlers from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, sixteen years after the settlement of that Colony. In the early days of the Colonies, when new lands in little- known territory were opened to settlers, a most necessary item was a gun. In time, the population increased as did the number of weapons. At that time all guns were manufactured in either England, Germany, France or Spain, and because of the great distance from Europe some farsighted individuals who possessed the necessary talents opened gun repair shops. Soon they had a great quantity of trade with all the Colonies. The gun business attracted some of the best gun-making talent of the old world and soon Springfield and the surrounding com- munities were known for the quality and quantity of their gun work. Because of the presence of a large number of gunsmiths, black- smiths, and artisans of all kinds, it was not surprising that arrangements were made at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War whereby men, working in combination- some specializing in barrels and ramrods, some in locks and riggings, and others in stocks--were able to turn out a limited quantity of muskets. To General Henry Knox, of Boston one of General Washington's most experienced officers, is given the credit of first sug- gesting the need of manufacturing and storage places for muni- tions to supply the rebellious colonies. General Knox recom- mended that one or more laboratories and depots be erected far from the seat of war. His recommendations strongly approved by General Washington were accepted by the Continental Con- gress and one of the "laboratories" was established at Spring- field. Early in 1777, buildings were rented on Main Street, and the "laboratory" in which cartridges were made was located in a barn in the rear. A few years later, the works were removed to the high ground of Springfield then known as the "Training Field." This is now called Armory Square, the area bounded by the high iron fence. There barracks, shop buildings, storehouses and a powder magazine were constructed. A powder mill was erected on the banks of Mill River and thus the forerunners of the Hill and Water Shops. General Washington was convinced of the need for the adoption of a standard military rifle and the development of adequate facilities to manufacture such an arm in quantities. Acting - 6 - upon such recommendations, the Third Congress, when it met in the spring of 1794, authorized the establishment, under the President of the United States, of three or four arsenals with magazines for the safe keeping of military stores and also provided for the establishment of a National Armory for the fabrication of small arms at each of these arsenals. President Washington selected Springfield as the site for one of the arsenals. The Armory has been known by several desig- nations since its establishment; the "United States Armory," the "National Armory," and since 1892, the "Springfield Armory." The climax of the Armory growth and development came in 1942, when employment rose to an all time high of 15,000 workers. Springfield was the major provider of M-1 rifles to all armed forces. Today the plant has been reduced to a standing per- sonnel of from 2,000 to 5,000 people. At best it can only be surmised as to what the future will bring. Current Depart- ment of Defense directives have indicated a leveling off in production and it is believed this trend could continue on an indefinite basis. Its new role began during the Korean War when it served as a pilot plant for civilian industry con- tracting to make war weapons. Today it is a place where industry can come to learn from a teacher with a 160 years of experience. - 7 - Springfield Armory as it now exists is made up of three plants-- the Hill Shops and the Water Shops about one mile apart, and Page Boulevard, in an outlying part of town. The Hill Shopt occupy the old "Training Field," of fifty-three acres, and an additional fourteen acres, today known as Federal Square. These two sections are separated by Federal Street, a public right-of-way ceded to Springfield in 1801. The one side called Armory Square, is predominately of military residents and administration buildings, thirty-six in all. On the other side, Federal Square, manufacturing structures are most preva- lent, eighteen major elements there. These two tracts of land are generally considered to be the heart of the installation and referred to as "The Armory." Of the 237 acres of Water Shops, only a scant fourteen acres are not inundated by the Mill Pond. These facilities are devoted entirely to manufacturing and forging operations. Page Boulevard, the newest of the three, started in 1950, partially covers some sixteen acres of suburban Springfield. Principally it is a materials and machine warehousing area for the manufacturing branches of the Armory. CORE OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS a I i~ 'I / / SPAGE BL RINGFIELD MASS. SCALE OF FEET owenwn o se 3me ' /ke J/ref 0/7 - Poposed Sireft brtd ir n I i i 40 -4 1 ' - 8 - FUNDAMENTAL INFORMATI ON In the succeeding paragraphs the author has simply tried to record a few of the ideas and comments of Armory officals about the possibility of removing the facilities to another location, thus consolidating them. So far as it is possible to judge, they believe it should remain in its present location. Primarily New England, be- cause of its skilled labor resources, allied manufacturers, and compatible transportation facilities, lends itself quite aptly to this form of manufacturing.